Tree Fruit Edition

Seasonal updates on insects, diseases, weeds, maturity dates and cultural practices impacting only tree fruit.
 
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Volunteers Needed for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Count

Scientists at the USDA are conducting a second year of the “Great Stink Bug Count” and are looking for volunteers from NJ! They are trying to identify characteristics of houses that brown marmorated stink bugs look for when finding overwintering sites. Last year’s count had over 200 volunteers with 44 individuals who counted every day.

BMSB OW

The basics:

  1. Fill out the form
  2. Count the BMSB on the exterior of your home each day
  3. Enter in your count data

Consider participating in the 2014 Great Stink Bug Count!

September 15 – October 15, 2014

You can download particpant forms herehttp://www.stopbmsb.org/2014-count

Results from 2013 are the first to document factors that may be important in where bugs chose to overwinter. Last year’s results suggest that landscape factors, specifically agriculture and woodland habitats, may have the greatest influence on the number of BMSB overwintering on a house.

This data will go a long way to helping us figure out important steps to managing BMSB. They are looking for citizen scientists to help out! Please fill out the attached form and send it in if you are interested!

Fruit IPM Report August 26, 2014

The week in Fruit IPM

  • Tree Fruit
  • Grape
  • Blueberry

Click to View | Download PDF

Fruit IPM Report August 15, 2014

Grape TrapThis week in Fruit IPM

  • Tree Fruit
  • Grape
  • Blueberry

Click to View | Download PDF

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Fruit IPM Report August 7, 2014

This week in Fruit IPM

Spotted Wing Drosophila

Spotted Wing Drosophila counts increase,
but are at low levels compared to 2013.

Click to View | Download PDF

Fruit IPM Report July 29, 2014

FruitIPMThis week in Fruit IPM

  • Tree Fruit
  • Grape
  • Blueberry

Click to View | Download PDF

Proposed Importation of Apples from China

A proposed rule is open for public comment that would allow the importation of apples into US markets from China.

A pest risk assessment has identified 21 pests that are on US quarantine lists which could be introduced in/on apples from China. Assurances have been made that fruit will be inspected prior to harvest for signs of infestation and fumigated prior to entrance into the US. However, the importation of fruit increases the likelihood that pests, such as the Oriental Fruit Fly, the plum fruit moth and the summer fruit tortrix, could be accidentally introduced and become established.

You may submit comments electronically by visiting http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0003

[Read more…]